tests not looking good, help?

[olaywolay]

alk 10.9
magnesium- 1500
nitrate- 25ppm
phosphate-0
calcium- 225

is there one specific product i could dose so that it could help all parameters, if not what should/can i dose? first time testing these parameters using salifert kits, tank has had sps in there for a week, tank has had fish in there since start of february and finished cycling about end of january

 

[Marine Betta]

alk 10.9
magnesium- 1500
nitrate- 25ppm
phosphate-0
calcium- 225

is there one specific product i could dose so that it could help all parameters, if not what should/can i dose? first time testing these parameters using salifert kits, tank has had sps in there for a week, tank has had fish in there since start of february and finished cycling about end of january

How do the corals look? The only value here that’s way off is calcium. Mag is acceptable. Alk is on the high side, but given your nitrates, isn’t that bad. What are the phosphates?

I would start with a water change with known values for Mg, Ca, and Alk. This should slightly raise Ca, and lower Alk and Mg so that you don’t have to use as much product when you dose. This will also lower your nitrates.

There are a lot of options to choose from for dosing Ca, Mg, and Alk. My understanding is that most of these products are for stable tanks where all 3 might need slight adjustments. The big one here that needs to be raised is Ca. Brightwell and Red Sea both make products for that will only raise one of these three parameters and not the others. Adding Ca will slightly lower Alk as well, but do not rely on this as the only method of lowering Alk.

 

[olaywolay]

alk 10.9
magnesium- 1500
nitrate- 25ppm
phosphate-0
calcium- 225

is there one specific product i could dose so that it could help all parameters, if not what should/can i dose? first time testing these parameters using salifert kits, tank has had sps in there for a week, tank has had fish in there since start of february and finished cycling about end of january

How do the corals look? The only value here that’s way off is calcium. Mag is acceptable. Alk is on the high side, but given your nitrates, isn’t that bad. What are the phosphates?

I would start with a water change with known values for Mg, Ca, and Alk. This should slightly raise Ca, and lower Alk and Mg so that you don’t have to use as much product when you dose. This will also lower your nitrates.

There are a lot of options to choose from for dosing Ca, Mg, and Alk. My understanding is that most of these products are for stable tanks where all 3 might need slight adjustments. The big one here that needs to be raised is Ca. Brightwell and Red Sea both make products for that will only raise one of these three parameters and not the others. Adding Ca will slightly lower Alk as well, but do not rely on this as the only method of lowering Alk.

well my phosphate is 0, its my first time using salifert test kits, so definitely gonna test again in the morning, and to be honest with you the corals look fine, i dont know the actual name of one of my corals think its a type of encrusting monti but half of it has faded as shown in the picture, the left side is normal other side has faded.

the only other change in any other coral would be my torch, where it was once brown on the skeletons its gone white, otherwise the corals look completely healthy, ive got a few LPS in my tank and i think the monti may be the only SPS?
i also done a 10% water change saturday but im happy to do another if that would help? how big of a water change? ill also look into dosing as im probably at that stage. it could also be my weak light, running the hygger 30W but my popbloom rl90 is arriving tomorrow

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't believe there's any way that your Alk is 10.9 and your Calc is 225

I suspect some testing error here, what are you using for test kits?

I wouldn't do anything until you're sure you've got some accurate testing results. First, start with your salinity, make your own refractometer calibration fluid and ensure your salinity is spot on, then use reliable test kits for the other parameters. Here's RHF's article on making your own calibration fluid with ordinary table salt:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/
Good luck!

 

[Tahoe61]

I would double check all values.
If this is the 15 gallon, a couple smaller water changes should bring everything back into range.
If you're dosing any products I would cease for now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree the calcium number is not accurate.

I’d stop measuring magnesium. It has a good chance of being inaccurate and it will be whatever was in your salt mix and is fine.

Phosphate may be low, and feeding more is one step. Dosing is another.

 

[gusherfrog]

alk 10.9
magnesium- 1500
nitrate- 25ppm
phosphate-0
calcium- 225

is there one specific product i could dose so that it could help all parameters, if not what should/can i dose? first time testing these parameters using salifert kits, tank has had sps in there for a week, tank has had fish in there since start of february and finished cycling about end of january

Alk is too high, nitrates are too high do small water changes until this goes down. Also your calcium is extremely low. Try dosing a calcium buffer, do water changes, and dose all for reef. You must get all your params in check before dosing afr

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Alk is too high, nitrates are too high do small water changes until this goes down. Also your calcium is extremely low. Try dosing a calcium buffer, do water changes, and dose all for reef. You must get all your params in check before dosing afr

I don't agree that nitrate is too high. I recommend 5-50 ppm and some tanks with 100 ppm are thriving.

I do not recommend dosing calcium based on a number (225 ppm) that is very likely inaccurate.